Water Bead Stress Ball - A transparent balloon filled with colorful water beads makes for a soothing and fun kids toy or stress reliever!
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Do you all remember when I made this squeeze ball? If you're looking for another fun and easy project to do with the kids, you're going to love this Water Bead Stress Ball. Before we dig into the details of how to make one of these awesome toys, I want to caution parents of small children. . .
If you have any children in the home who are young and put things in their mouths, DO NOT proceed with this project. Water beads are not edible or safe for swallowing.
With that being said, let's get to the fun! You can watch the video and read through the step-by-step instructions for all of the details on making your water bead stress ball!
How to Make a Water Bead Stress Ball
Materials
- Water beads packet (.35 ounce)
- 8 ounce empty water bottle
- 2-3 clear balloons
- Scissors
Instructions
- Prepare water beads according to instructions on packet. Drain.
- Fill the water bottle with beads.
- Blow up one of the balloons and place it over the top of the bead-filled bottle.
- Turn the water bottle upside down, shake and squeeze the bottle until all of the water beads have been transferred from the bottle to the balloon.
- Tie the end of the balloon and *cut the larger tie off the end of the balloon.
- Repeat the steps with the other balloon(s).
*Cutting the tie off of the end of the balloon is optional - the ball will look nicer but will be at a higher risk of opening when being played with.
Now let's make one together!
Start out by preparing the water beads according to the instructions on the packet. Orbeez can also work. If you have a container of water beads rather than a packet, only use a small amount. The packets I used were .35 ounce.
I let my beads set in the water for about four hours. Feel free to allow them to set overnight if you would like.
You would think the above photo is just blurry, but that's not the case. This is what the water beads look like after setting about two hours. They actually DO look blurry when you look at them in the water.
Four hours later, they'll look like this!
Drain any remaining water from the beads using a colander - it's only minutes now until your ball is ready!
Fill an empty water bottle with water beads.
Partially inflate a balloon.
Place the balloon over the top of the water bottle.
Shake and gently squeeze the water bottle to transfer the beads from the bottle into the balloon.
Slowly let the air out of the balloon and tie the end of the balloon. To make the balloon look a bit more like a ball (and less like a balloon) you can cut the larger tie off of the end of the balloon. This is completely optional. To make the ball a bit more durable, don't cut the tie.
And there you have it!
I love how colorful it is, don't you?
The kiddos loved the feel of these balls and played with them for days!
So did I. 🙂
Tip: After days of squeezing, the water beads can start breaking apart inside of the balloon and the "look" of the ball will become more cloudy. When that happened to ours, we just made more!
Have fun and let me know how your water bead stress balls turn out!!
Water Bead Stress Ball
Materials
- 35 ounce Water beads packet
- 8 ounce Empty water bottle
- 2-3 Clear balloons
- Scissors
Instructions
- Prepare water beads according to instructions on packet. Drain.
- Fill the water bottle with beads.
- Blow up one of the balloons and place it over the top of the bead-filled bottle.
- Turn the water bottle upside down, shake and squeeze the bottle until all of the water beads have been transferred from the bottle to the balloon.
- Tie the end of the balloon and *cut the larger tie off the end of the balloon.
- Repeat the steps with the other balloon(s).
Notes
- Choose Balloons Carefully: Opt for high-quality, durable balloons to ensure your stress ball lasts longer. Thicker balloons are less likely to break or tear, providing a sturdier stress ball that can withstand repeated squeezing. Additionally, consider using clear balloons to showcase the colorful water beads inside, adding visual appeal to your stress ball.
- Mind the Bead Size: Ensure the water beads are properly hydrated according to the packet instructions before filling the balloon. Over-hydrated beads can burst the balloon, while under-hydrated ones may not provide the desired stress-relief effect. Follow the recommended soaking time to achieve the optimal size and consistency of the water beads.
- Seal Securely: After transferring the water beads into the balloon, tie the end tightly to prevent any leaks. Double-check for any small tears or holes in the balloon that could lead to bead spillage. For added security, consider using a knot followed by a small drop of non-toxic glue or a rubber band to seal the balloon tightly. This ensures your stress ball remains intact during use.
Alicia
My son wants to make these for market day at school. I don't want to wait until the last minute to make, but how may days in advance could we make and the water beads still be enlarged....?
Sara
You can make the water bead stress balls 2 to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag to keep the beads hydrated. Any longer, and the beads may start to break down or shrink.
Alicia Brooks
Thank you! Doing these this week, will let you know how it goes!
Carol
I made one of these using helium-strength balloons from Party City and the balloon burst on day 2. Water beads ended up in every room.
Sara
Oh no! Well, it is a balloon and they do have breaking points depending on how they are being handled.
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Vicky Teal
I’ve done these two years now, and some of my balloons burst. Is there a special brand or type of balloon that works best, or is there something else I can do to stop this from happening?
Jo-Anne the crazy lady
What a great thing I would like it
Toto
I would like to do this but I don't know what water beads are and where to find them.
Thank you
Sara
Please read through the entire post. I have links to where you can purchase them on Amazon. Good luck!